Part-3 Ch-04 Ep-01

 “Thank you all for gathering here today. With that, we will now begin the opening ceremony for the ‘Library Overnight Study & Reading Session.’”

Everyone is gathered in the seats at the center of the library, listening attentively to Godaiin-kun’s words.

Behind him stands a portable whiteboard with the words ‘Library Overnight Study & Reading Session’ written on it.

Today I came to the school library for a summer vacation event organized by the former student council members who have now passed on their roles.

Since it’s summer break, the idea is to try spending the night in the library, you can read books, study, or do other things you want. Basically, it’s a chance to do whatever you feel like in an unusual setting and unwind.

When Godaiin-kun, who had already handed the student council president position over to a second-year, first told me about it, I was a little doubtful, but when I saw him smile shyly and say, “I just wanted to try something new one last time before I’m really done,” I felt like joining too.

Participation required an advance application, and the conditions were maintaining a certain level of grades and getting permission from your homeroom teacher. You could study or devote yourself to reading, but since it’s the library, making noise is strictly forbidden, that was the explanation given.

There are about fifteen participants, or around twenty if you include the former student council members.

Our school library isn’t particularly spacious, so I think this is about the maximum number that can still keep things calm and quiet.

When I look around, everywhere I turn there are books, books, books, and more books lined up.

The thought that I’ll be spending the whole night here somehow feels fresh and new.

Because of the nature of the event, today’s meeting time was set for the evening.

Outside the windows, the sky is already dyed with sunset colors.

Normally this would be the time when I start getting ready to go home, but today we’ve only just gathered here, and the day is far from over, in fact, it’s only just beginning.

That unusual situation makes my heart race with excitement.

While I’m listening to Godaiin-kun with growing anticipation, I notice out of the corner of my eye that the chair next to me moves.

“Ah, Maki, you’re finally done?”

“Yeah.”

Maki, who arrived a little late, sits down in the seat beside me.

When I glance toward the library entrance, I see Nitobe-sensei, our homeroom teacher, opening the door and coming inside.

“Tobesen’s talk dragged on forever. Even though it’s already summer break, he’s still going on about career paths.”

Maki says this looking genuinely fed up, yet every time she’s called she properly goes to the staff room.

Well, of course she does, when a teacher summons you, it’s only natural to respond and go.

“What kind of things did he say about career paths?” I ask in a small voice.

“Stupid stuff,” Maki answers immediately.

I make a small “Hmm” sound in response, but since Godaiin-kun is still speaking, I can’t press her for more details, so I turn my attention forward again.

Up front, Godaiin-kun is explaining today’s schedule.

That said, the basic idea is that everyone should just spend the time however they like.

Several subject teachers for the main courses are also here as supervisors, so if anyone wants to study, they can ask questions.

“And with that, we will now hold the ‘Library Overnight Study & Reading Session’! Everyone, please enjoy yourselves while maintaining proper decorum!”

At Godaiin-kun’s calm declaration of the start, a light round of applause rises.

I clap along too, and while doing so I turn to Maki, who is next to me saying, “A Sleepover, huh!” with a slightly off-base understanding, so I firmly remind her, “We’re not here to play around, okay.”